bruised or cracked ribs?

Question

5 days ago, I was doing alot of heaving cleaning, then shopping.
The next day the pain was horrible starting under my breast and moving to the right lower and upper side by my ribs. I also had a cold with heavy sneezing and coughing. My doc said though my lungs were clear. Now it hurts to move my arm up or down, twisting or sleeping on that side. When I sneeze I scream. I have tried hot baths, stretching, bengay, tylenol, and it still hurts. Coughing is a nightmare. Is it better to exercise this or leave it be. I am very active but yesterday I couldn't get off of the couch.
Should I move around a little bit more to help the healing process?
And how long for the healing process??
Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.
I can breathe ok, unless I really really deep breathe then it hurts.

Answer 1

If your breathing is okay per the doctor and no spitting up of blood then it really doesn't matter if you cracked a rib or it is just bruised from the exertion and/or coughing. The treatment is the same. Medication for pain and try to not aggravate it. Years ago they recommended a rib belt to help with pain from normal movement but they don't do that much now. When my husband broke his I went to the pharmacy and purchased an abdominal binder and he wore that with great relief. Did the doctor give you medication for pain? If not you might first try Ibuprophen. It works better for this type pain. If no results contact doctor for a pain medication. Don't think stretching or trying to work through it will work, it won't. Rest and no more injury will help.
Good Luck.
I am a nurse

Answer 2

The only difference between a broken rib and a bruised rib is that if its broken they will ask you to be extra vigilent about noticing labored breathing, coughing blood, peeing blood, and pooping blood. They are worried about a corner or that rib poking into organs. This is very unlikely unless you can notice a definite abnormality. If you want to go to the doctor, they can prescribe narcotics that will help you deal with the pain. Other then that, just look for the signs about or anything else strange and if it occurs call your doc. Other then that, you can exprect progressive healing over the next 2 weeks or so depending on the severity.

Answer 3

If you are older, it is possible that you over exerted. I felt the same way awhile back, but I had fallen. It took several weeks of taking it at a slower Pace to feel better.. but just yesterday, when I got upset, the old pain returned. Several years ago I had pluritis> an inflammation of the outer lining of the lung. Sharp pain under left breast when inhaled. Tender to touch. I wore an ace bandage around ribs for about 2 mo. Helped the pain a lot, and I lost every bit of fat around waist. Diagnosed with and xray and some sort of scan, cat scan? MRI?If lungs are clear, that would be a good sign..I contracted atypical pneumonia by inhaling veggie dust! I'd use the ace bandage, slow way down on your physical work, and when you feel a sneeze coming on, brace yourself and give the tender areas extra support. I ruptured 2 lumbar disks throwing up with the flu!!!

Answer 4

I broke 4 ribs a few years back and it was basically the same type of feeling. You should go to the doctor and get x-rays. One of my broken ribs pierced my lung and I had to have emergency surgery. Its not fun and very painful.
There isn't a lot they can do to heal it. It is just something that you have to be cautious of so you don't exacerbate the condition. They may wrap your chest for support and give you Vicodin.
Mine healed in about 4-6 weeks. But now one of the ribs juts out and it is noticible

Answer 5

Chest or rib area pain can be caused by the muscular strain from incessant coughing or from the rupture of bulla (air filled sac in the lung) causing pneumothorax (pneumothorax is a pocket of air between the two layers of pleura, resulting in collapse of the lung). You would want to visit a doctor in this particular case.
Additionally, in severe cases, prolonged coughing can cause fatigue fractures of lower ribs and costochondritis, an inflammation of the connective tissue between the breastbone and the ribs.

Good luck to you!

Answer 6

had this happen to me, could be many things... the heavy sneezing you could have pulled a muscle in you chest, its easy to do. Could have just over did it and be sore... if you take a deep breath and you feel something poking your lung then it may be fractured. Hurt when you touch it or twist could be a bruise, you typed this so its not broken... i've had all these injuries in football. i'm not a doctor, but i've seen a lot of them

Answer 7

It takes a lot of force to crack a rib. Bruised/cracked ribs happen from some form of impact on something hard. I think there is something else going on and not bruised/cracked ribs. Get a second opinion. I am an ER tech, EMT and cardiac assistant.

Answer 8

hmmm, sounds like you have an inflamed lung, and/or internal bleeding. maybe a broken rib pinching your lung (causing bleeding, and coughing)
I would get a 2nd opinion now

if your not coughing up blood, its just a bruise... but I would still get a 2nd opinion, you only have 1 life to live

Answer 9

you really could of bruised a rib or something...if they take exrays and there is nothing broken you just need to take it slow for awhile and wait until the soreness is so bad,,i know when i exercise and then i get hurting i just slow the pace down until i get better...do what you can for yourself but do not overtax your self...